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Journal article
Household air pollution in Nairobi's slums: A long-term policy evaluation using participatory system dynamics
The Science of the total environment, v 660, pp 1108-1134
10 Apr 2019
PMID: 30743908
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
58% of Nairobi's population live in informal settlements in extremely poor conditions. Household air pollution is one of the leading causes of premature death and disease in these settlements. Regulatory frameworks and government budgets for household air pollution do not exist and humanitarian organisations remain largely inattentive and inactive on this issue. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of potential indoor-air related policies, as identified together with various stakeholders, in lowering household air pollution in Nairobi's slums. Applying a novel approach in this context, we used participatory system dynamics within a series of stakeholder workshops in Nairobi, to map and model the complex dynamics surrounding household air pollution and draw up possible policy options. Workshop participants included community members, local and national policy-makers, representatives from parastatals, NGOs and academics. Simulation modelling demonstrates that under business-as-usual, the current trend of slowly improving indoor air quality will soon come to a halt. If we aim to continue to substantially reduce household PM2.5 levels, a drastic acceleration in the uptake of clean stoves is needed. We identified the potentially high impact of redirecting investment towards household air quality monitoring and health impact assessment studies, therefore raising the public's and the government's awareness and concern about this issue and its health consequences. Such investments, due to their self-reinforcing nature, can entail high returns on investment, but are likely to give 'worse-before-better' results due to the time lags involved. We also discuss the usefulness of the participatory process within similar multi-stakeholder contexts. With important implications for such settings this work advances our understanding of the efficacy of high-level policy options for reducing household air pollution. It makes a case for the usefulness of participatory system dynamics for such complex, multi-stakeholder, environmental issues.
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Details
- Title
- Household air pollution in Nairobi's slums: A long-term policy evaluation using participatory system dynamics
- Creators
- K. Dianati - University College LondonN. Zimmermann - University College LondonJ. Milner - London Sch Hyg & Trop Med, London, EnglandK. Muindi - African Population and Health Research CenterA Ezeh - African Population and Health Research CenterM. Chege - African Population and Health Research CenterB. Mberu - African Population and Health Research CenterC. Kyobutungi - African Population and Health Research CenterH. Fletcher - BuroHappoldP. Wilkinson - London Sch Hyg & Trop Med, London, EnglandM. Davies - University College London
- Publication Details
- The Science of the total environment, v 660, pp 1108-1134
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 27
- Grant note
- 205207/Z/16/Z / Wellcome Trust EP/P022405/1 / EPSRC; UK Research & Innovation (UKRI); Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 205207/Z/16/Z; 209387/Z/17/Z / Wellcome Trust 535444; 172313 / 'Housing in Nairobi's Informal Settlements - A Complex Urban System (HINIS)' project - EPSRC Global Challenges Award; UK Research & Innovation (UKRI); Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000457725700110
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85059930572
- Other Identifier
- 991021961414204721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences